The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ. You will have to register before you can post or view full size images in the forums.

Greetings

Hello all.

I've always been interested in making maps for table top rpgs but my drawing ability never quite meshed with the way I imagined my maps.

Several years later on a impulsive search engine entry I discovered mapping software. Now my drawing ability doesn't matter near as much as my ability to move a mouse and think up new places to create.

I decided to join this forum to interact with people with map making experience and try to learn some tips from people who have been doing this for far longer than I.

I decided to go with Fractal Mapper because it was the first program that I came across that I was able to use to draw something recognizable without banging my head on a wall trying to figure it out. I'll post my first work in progress soon.

Welcome to the guild, lots of stuff here to help ya learn and play around with different styles.

If the radiance of a thousand suns was to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One...I am become Death, the Shatterer of worlds.
-J. Robert Oppenheimer (father of the atom bomb) alluding to The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 11, Verse 32)

I'll chime in with a welcome to The Guild. I'd also like to add that IMO you'll need something to supplement Fractal Mapper. My experience with Fractal based mapping software, while limited, was unsatisfactory in regards to editing and especially with rivers. Post something up, though, maybe you've been more successful than I was. Cheers.

Yeah I've noticed that I would mostly likely need to some post-production type work... some beautification if you will. I'm just an amateur at the moment though and I want to try to get this style down before I overload myself with combining multiple techniques. Kinda like dipping my toe in the ocean. Definately going to take a glance at GIMP though. That's the freebie version of photo shop right?